Spicy City

Spicy City is an adult animated erotic cyberpunk television series which was created by Ralph Bakshi for HBO. It is an anthology series in a similar format as television programs such as The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt. The series premiered on July 11, 1997, and ended on August 22, with a total of 6 episodes over the course of 1 season.

Premise
The plot was described as a science fiction anthology series set in a futuristic city with a steamy side. Each episode is introduced by Raven, a nightclub hostess who also makes brief appearances in the tales.

Production
Discussions involving a series based upon Trey Parker and Matt Stone's video Christmas card Jesus vs. Santa (which would become South Park) led HBO to contact Ralph Bakshi in order to produce the first animated series targeted specifically toward adults. Bakshi enlisted a team of writers, including (besides his son Preston) Asian, Black, transvestite, and previously incarcerated individuals to develop Spicy Detective, later renamed Spicy City.

Cast

 * Michelle Phillips as Raven
 * James Keane (credited as James Kean) as Lem
 * Barry Stigler as Boxer
 * Mary Mara as Alice Kerchief/Geisha
 * John Hostetter as Jake
 * Vince Melocchi as Shark
 * Alex Fernandez as Armando "Mano" Mantio
 * Cecilia Noël as Red Beans
 * James Hanes as Big Vinnie
 * Ralph Bakshi as Stevie/Connelly/Goldblum
 * Pamala Tyson as Bruja/Ebony and Venus Sartori
 * Tuesday Knight as Prostitute/Virus
 * James Keane as Flaxson
 * Darrell Kunitomi as Loh
 * Grace Zandarski as Driver
 * James Asher as Harry
 * Tasia Valenza as Margo
 * Tony Amendola as Skankmeyer
 * Julia DeMita as Frenchy
 * Rick Najera as Vic Guapo
 * Lewis Arquette as Farfelson/Corbin
 * Jennifer Darling as Elvira
 * E.G. Daily as Nisa Lolita
 * Joey Camen as Max
 * Michael Yama as Otaku
 * Brock Peters as Bird
 * Charlie Adler as Additional Voices
 * Dan Castellaneta as Additional Voices
 * Tress MacNeille as Additional Voices
 * Matt K. Miller as Additional Voices
 * Andy Philpot as Additional Voices
 * Marnie Mosiman as Additional Voices
 * Brendan O'Brien as Additional Voices
 * David Fennoy as Additional Voices
 * Danny Mann as Additional Voices

Reception
The series premiered on 11 July 1997, beating South Park to television by over a month and becoming the first "adults only" cartoon series.

Although critical reaction was mixed and largely unfavorable, Spicy City received acceptable ratings. The Los Angeles Times called the series "Adolescent Humor for Adults". The Dallas Morning News said the series "exploits the female form while also condemning the practice."

A second season was approved, but the network wanted to fire Bakshi's writing team and hire professional Los Angeles screenwriters. When Bakshi refused to cooperate with the network, the series was cancelled.